Patient Care Technician - PCT

Fresenius Medical Care•Warrenton, NC

About The Position

The Patient Care Technician (PCT) works as part of a dialysis health care team to provide safe and effective dialysis therapy under the direct supervision of a licensed nurse. The role follows organization policies, procedures, and training, as well as applicable corporate, state, and federal regulations. The PCT sets up and operates hemodialysis machines, helps maintain a safe and clean work environment, and participates in Quality Enhancement Program (QEP) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities, including process improvements intended to support patient satisfaction and quality goals. The position provides direct patient care throughout dialysis treatments, including welcoming patients, assessing vascular access and patient status, initiating and monitoring treatment, responding to problems, documenting treatment information, and evaluating patients before discharge. The PCT also collects and prepares laboratory specimens, maintains treatment equipment and supplies, supports infection control, and assists with training staff under nurse supervision. In a Transitional Care Unit, the PCT supports newly admitted patients during their first four weeks of dialysis, reinforces education, coordinates care with facility staff, helps patients understand home dialysis and treatment options, and supports transitions to the patient's chosen modality. The work includes desk and computer tasks as well as frequent direct patient interaction. Travel between assigned facilities and community locations is required, and travel to regional, Business Unit, and Corporate meetings may be required. The work environment is that of a health care facility, with controlled air temperature and moderate noise, and possible exposure to infectious or contagious diseases and materials. Physical duties include frequent prolonged standing, bending, lifting and moving patients, assisting with ambulation, and handling solutions and equipment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; a failed test does not automatically preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations will be considered.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Meet CMS-approved state and/or national certification requirements within the required state or CMS timeline.
Meet all applicable state licensure, education, and training requirements.
Demonstrated commitment to the organization's culture, values, and customer service standards.
Successfully complete the organization's dialysis training program to remain employed.
Successfully complete CPR certification to remain employed.
Ability to perform direct patient care involving frequent, prolonged standing and bending; regularly lift and move patients and assist with ambulation; occasionally push or pull equipment using up to 15 pounds of force; frequently lift and lower solutions weighing up to 30 pounds; and occasionally lift items weighing up to 40 pounds as high as 5 feet. Assistance or material-assist devices are available for heavier items.
Ability to travel between assigned facilities and locations within the community.

Nice To Haves

Previous patient care experience in a hospital setting or related facility is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist with patient-specific education about adequacy measures, the disease process, and vascular access, as appropriate and within applicable state law.
Welcome assigned patients and ask about their wellbeing since their last treatment.
Assess vascular access patency, cannulate access, and administer heparin as delegated or permitted by state law.
Obtain and document pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, and assess vascular access before treatment.
Initiate dialysis according to prescribed orders, including blood and dialysate flow settings.
Monitor patients' response to dialysis, evaluate intradialytic problems, and provide interventions as prescribed or directed.
Obtain vital signs before reinfusion; discontinue treatment according to established procedures; assess patients before termination and discharge; and obtain hemostasis and apply dressings.
Calculate and enter prescribed dialysis machine programming, including ultrafiltration goals, treatment time, and UF modeling.
Ensure required safety alarms, including Narrow Venous Limits, are enabled; observe patients and perform machine safety checks.
Document treatment parameters, vital signs, evaluations, interventions, and patient responses accurately and promptly in the required records and clinical applications.
Report significant information, changes in patient condition, and unusual findings to the registered nurse or supervisor.
Obtain prescribed laboratory tests; collect, label, prepare, store, and arrange for laboratory specimens and requisitions according to requirements.
Clean blood spills promptly with appropriate disinfectant and prepare, organize, and use supplies and equipment efficiently.
Monitor patients performing self-care under RN supervision.
Assist with training applicable direct patient care staff on appropriate programs under nurse supervision.
Follow organization policies, procedures, systems, and ethical business practices.
Maintain safe and clean areas; clean and disinfect dialysis machines, chairs, equipment, and surrounding areas between treatments.
Prepare for dialysis treatments, perform and document required machine alarm tests including Pressure Holding Test, and initiate the Solution Delivery System.
Participate in and document Continuous Quality Improvement activities; review treatment sheets for completeness and follow up on missing or incorrect entries with appropriate staff.
Prepare initial patient charts and paperwork for placement in charts.
Assist with infection control audits, reinforce adherence to infection control practices, follow infection control policies and procedures, and support patient and family education under the direction of the CM or designee as allowed by state law.
In the Transitional Care Unit, follow newly admitted patients through their first four weeks of dialysis and coordinate transitional dialysis care.
Reinforce education and care matters for new patients as allowed by state law and coordinate with appropriate staff so disciplines see patients according to plan.
Help patients understand home dialysis products, the benefits of home dialysis, and treatment options, including demonstrating peritoneal dialysis setup.
Set up and perform treatments on all machines used in the Transitional Care Unit and assist with transitions to patients' chosen modalities.
Assist with Transitional Care Unit supply ordering and inventory.